otman was never in India and based his view of Haidar's tomb,
on an unknown drawing, emphasising the decorative qualities
of the building. Its impressive and
elegant
architecture may have suggested the former title of
the watercolour: 'The Palace of Hyder Ali Khan.' Somewhat
incongruously, the artist included an Italian peasant as
staffage.
Topographical engravings of Mysore were popular after the
Third and Fourth Mysore Wars, and were widely available,
for example
Home's 'Select Views in
Mysore, the country of Tippoo Sultaun, from drawings
taken on the spot by Mr Home' published in London and Madras
in 1794', and Hunter's ' Picturesque Scenery in the Kingdom
of Mysore from forty drawings taken on the spot,' published
in London, 1804-05. Both collections include views of the
Mausoleum at Gumbaz, where Tipu
was buried beside his father and mother in 1799.
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